Origins of Human Society -- Fall 2002 -- Anthropology v1007

Final Project Guidelines

Part of your course grade is made up of a final project which can be completed in a number of ways: you have a choice of two topics, which you can present in one of two ways. First, pick between one of these two topics:

1. Independent Topic: This option is designed to give you the opportunity to work on a topic of your choosing that is related to the class. While you are free to come up with your own topic, topics that have worked in the past include:

(1) Further researching a topic brought up in lecture or section, e.g. a dating technique or recent development in hominid evolution, etc.

(2) A critique or review of an exhibit in a museum relevant to the course.

(3) An evaluation of an archaeological site report.

(4) Making a web page about a topic relevant to the course.

(5) Anything creative, fun, and interesting (again, that is somehow related to the course). Think about using any kind of resources and media available to you to put together something that interests you and that you think will interest and engage the rest of the class (art work, song, web page, poster presentation, etc.)

2. Patterson Problem: Select a Patterson problem and solve it, explaining the reasoning behind your solution to the problem in a written paper. For this option, you will (1) select a problem in the Patterson workbook that interests you, (2) explore the discussion section, (3) create illustrations and graphics to demonstrate your command of the problem, and (4) prepare a written discussion of your findings. Be creative in how you present your ideas in the graphic section and include in your written discussion the details behind your solution.

Second, decide if you want to work alone or in a group:

1. Working alone: Those of you working alone on an Independent Topic (option #1 above) will be asked to present a synopsis of your work in class on 4 or 6 December 2000. Those of you working alone on a Patterson Problem (option #2 above) do not have to present in class. See the table below for information about paper length.

2. Working in a group: Anyone working in a group, whether on an Independent Topic (option # 1 above) or a Patterson Problem (option # 2 above), will be asked to present a synopsis of their work in class in 4 or 6 December 2000. In both cases, we expect that each member in the group will participate in the presentation. See the table below for information about paper length.

Requirements:

	Independent Topic	Patterson Problem
working alone	in-class presentation 3-page paper	5-page paper
working in a group	in-class presentation 5-page paper	in-class presentation 7-page paper

Please note the following:

(a) All project topics must be approved by the instructor or one of the TAs. On a 3x5 inch index card, write down: Your name(s), email address(es), and a short description of your project topic. These index cards will be collected in class 8 November 2000 (students working in groups only need to hand in one card per group). Everyone is encouraged to consult with the TAs and the instructor before/after class, during section or office hours about potential topics.

(b) Everyone turns in a paper on the final due date of 6 December 2000 (groups hand in one paper!). The length depends on which option you choose and whether you are working alone or in a group (see table above). If you choose option #1 and if you are working alone, your 3-page paper should be a summary of your work, what you learned along the way and how it relates to our class. This also holds true for those of you working in groups on an Independent Topic, except that your paper will be longer.

(c) Page lengths do NOT include title page and extra pages for appendices, illustrations and graphics. Paper format: 10-12 pt. font, double spaced, 1x1x1x1 inch margin. Your title page should include: title of report, names of participants, social security numbers, date.

(d) If you choose Independent Topic (option #1): we encourage you to be creative, daring, different, open-minded, irreverent, controversial, metaphysical, and other-worldly.

(e) If you are doing an in-class presentation we encourage you to use any media resources in your presentation, including video, web-pages, power point, slides, overheads, music, food-- whatever. Let us know early your audio-visual needs and we will provide.

(f) Have Fun. Be Creative. Good Luck.

A word about the in-class presentations scheduled for 4 and 6 December 2000: in the past, the presentations have been a class highlight. Because of the our numbers, we imagine the in-class presentations will be short this year-- perhaps no longer than five minutes each. The length of the presentation depends to a large degree on the number of students presenting. Once we know the numbers after collecting your index cards, we will circulate a sign-up sheet with time slots for presenting. Also, if we end up with too many presentations we might excuse those of you working in groups on Patterson problems from having to present.

Important deadlines:

12 November 2002: Index cards due.

3 December 2002: First day of student presentations.

5 December 2000: Second day of student presentations.

5 December 2000: All papers due at the end of class.

(no late projects will be accepted)